Term Faculty Information

TERM FACULTY INFORMATION

Spring 2013 Paula Benson, MDiv, D.Min. candidate

March 25 – May 31, 2013 Bethel Seminary, PO 7052

Intensive May 2-4

Cell Phone: 763-229-0020

GC501: Intro to Global & Contextual Studies – InMinistry Section 10

Course Description:

Introduction to Global and Contextual Studies serves as a general introduction to missiology or the study of missions. It includes a survey of the progress of the worldwide mission of the church and the status of Christianity in the world. It examines resources from the Bible and biblical theology, the history of Christian missions, practical theology, and cultural anthropology, fostering an integration of insights from these and other disciplines. There will be provision for the student to develop one’s own philosophy and theology of missions, and understanding of the mission of the local church and the involvement in missions that is most appropriate for one’s particular life as well as one’s church.

General Course Objectives:

Studies in global and contextual studies will enable students to:

1.  discover the missionary character of the Bible and to insights in historic Christian theology with application to Christian missions;

2.  enhance ones’ awareness of the dimensions of our world and its needs, and the implications of these factors to Christian missions;

3.  discover God’s planned role for them in the church’s mission to the world;

4.  become acquainted with the broad outline and selected highlights of modern missions history;

5.  understand the development of missions strategy and begin the development of a personal philosophy and theology of missions;

6.  gain an overview of the work of some mission agencies;

7.  become aware of the problems and means involved in communicating the gospel to people of other ethnic and religious groups;

8.  become acquainted with contemporary trends and issues in today’s missions;

9.  be exposed to the challenges and opportunities for missionary service;

10.  be challenged to a deeper commitment to missionary support.

Specific Course Objectives:

1.  the students will have an adequate grasp of the biblical passages related to missions and be able to explain their importance to the missionary task;

2.  the students will be familiar with significant people in missions’ history, noting their particular accomplishments or contributions to the missionary cause;

3.  the students will be able to articulate the key points in the missions philosophies of selected missionary strategists;

4.  the students will be able to define selected terms that pertain to missions;

5.  the students will be able to identify the largest blocks of unevangelized people in the world.

Required Texts:

·  Engel, James F., and William A. Dyrness. Changing the Mind of Missions. InterVarsity Press, 2000. ISBN 0830822399.

·  Moreau, A. Scott, Gary R. Corwin, and Gary B. McGee. Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey. Baker Academic, 2004. ISBN 0801026482.

·  Telford, Tom. Today’s All-Star Missions Churches. Baker Books, 2001. ISBN 0801063817.

Recommended Resources:

·  John Mark Terry, Ebbie Smith, and Justice Anderson, Missiology: An Introduction to the Foundations, History, and Strategy of World Missions. B and H Publishing Group, 1998.

·  Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: A Reader, Fourth Edition. William Carey Library Publishers, 2009.

·  David J. Hesselgrave, Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally. Zondervan, 1978.

·  Paul G. Hiebert, Anthropological Insights for Missionaries. Baker, 1986.

·  Paul G. Hiebert, Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues, Baker, 1994.

·  Charles H. Kraft, Christianity in Culture. Orbis, 1979

·  Donald A. McGavran, Bridges of God: A Study in the Strategy of Missions. Wipf and Stock 2005.

·  Eugene Nida, Customs and Cultures: Anthropology for Christian Missions, 2nd ed. William Carey Library Publishers, 1975.

·  Don Richardson, Eternity in Their Hearts, 3rd ed. Gospel Light Publications, 1981.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Submission Guidelines:

1.  All assignments are to be typed in Calibri 12-point font (or an approximate size equivalent), double-spaced and submitted electronically.

2.  Please label your submitted work as follows: “Your Last Name.Initial of Your First Name.Assignment Name” (ex: Benson.P.ReflectionPaperMoreauPart1).

*Weekly Reading in the Required Text – see Course Schedule on page 6

*Weekly Interaction/Class Discussion (10%)

It is expected that each student be well prepared; with an attitude that facilitates learning. This portion of the overall course grade reflects that preparation and also that of a student whose respectful interaction throughout the course fosters learning for themselves and for others. This includes completing the reading assignments and engaging in the material during online discussions and during the Intensive Week classroom sessions.

*Assignment: Reflection Papers – 5 total (25% total) DUE: 4-8

Complete and submit a Reflection Paper on EACH of the five major parts or sections in the Moreau text. Each paper will contain:

1.  New OR important insights you have encountered in this material (Knowledge)

2.  How these insights are related to the tasks involved in world missions, especially that of evangelism, discipleship and church planting among an unreached people, social or ethnic segment, or urban population (Practical Application of the above mentioned insights)

3.  What are some issues, concerns, questions, etc., which have been raised that you would like to discuss further (Discussion/Clarification)?

In other words, tell me what insights are important and how they can be utilized towards more effective ministry. Do NOT include a summary of the text. (2-3 pages per Reflection Paper)

*Assignment: Engel & Dyrness Response Paper (10%) DUE: 4-22

Complete and submit a 5-7 page Response Paper on the Engel & Dyrness text. This assignment should include the following:

(1)  Brief summary of the book (no more than 1 paragraph)

(2)  Critical evaluation of the book noting the purpose of the book, contributions of significance to the task of communicating the Christian faith in a cross-cultural context, but also noting weaknesses or oversights in the work (what have the authors left out, what are the authors biases)

(3)  Concluding discussion of how the insights discerned through reading this text can assist one in the tasks related to cross-cultural communication.

*Assignment: Integrative Research Paper-Missions Project (30%) DUE: 5-27

Each student will be required to submit a research paper that sets forth an effective program of missions for a local church. This program should include leadership issues, missions education, prayer support, financial support, volunteerism, and missions projects. Additional information on this assignment will be provided during the Intensive Week. (15-18 pages, not counting bibliography and appendices)

** This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.

*Assignment: Final Exam-Film Critique (25%) DUE: 5-31

Write a critique of a film (TBA) drawing on insights discerned from your reading as well as the class lectures, and particularly noting issues related to the four major aspects related to the missions task, namely the biblical and theological, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions. Instructions for this assignment will be provided and discussed during the Intensive Week. (5-7 pages minimum)

*Course Evaluations:

Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. Completing the course evaluation at the end of this course is included as a component of class participation. While your responses are anonymous, failure to submit an electronic evaluation will reduce your course grade by 2%. For any questions regarding the course evaluation process, please go to https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index.

Course Grading:

Weekly Interaction/Class Discussion: 10%

Moreau Reflection Papers: 25% (5 papers @ 5% each)

Engel & Dyrness Response Paper: 10%

Integrative Research Paper: 30%

Final Exam: 25%

The course grade will be the total of all assignments, based on the scale below:

A……95-100 B……85-87 C……75-77 D……65-67

A-…..92-94 B-…..82-84 C-…..72-74 D-…..62-64

B+….88-91 C+….78-81 D+….68-71 F……Below 62

A final grade of “A” (95-100) is reflective of an extremely high demonstrated quality level for graduate studies with reference to the areas of (a) class preparation-participation, and (b) accomplishment of the course assignments according to the stated criteria for each assignment.

A final grade of “B” (85-87) is reflective of an average demonstrated quality level for graduate studies for these categories. A final grade of “C” (75-77) is reflective of a below average demonstrated quality level for graduate studies for these categories.

EXPECTED WORK QUALITY

Ultimately, what is important from this class is your personal growth and development, and in particular, what God does to prepare you for more effective ministry and leadership. Your grade cannot adequately measure this priority, but rather serves as a reflection of your ability and performance in mastering the subject matter and interacting at a graduate studies level.

The following comments should help you understand expectations and perform to the best of your ability.

Reading and Group Interactions:

The following process will allow you to gain the most from your reading in an efficient manner and enable you to interact with critical and constructive responses of substantive value.

i.  Examine the book or reading assignment, taking a few minutes to gain an overview. (For books, read the publisher comments (on the cover), the table of contents, the forward and/or introduction. This should give you a general idea of the author’s purposes and plan in writing.)

ii.  Write 1-3 questions that you would like to answer from your reading. These questions should represent what you sense to be valuable from this book or reading assignment for you and your ministry and will serve as your primary learning objectives for that reading assignment.

iii.  Read the assignment, paying attention to what the author is trying to communicate and what you are trying to discover (i.e., your primary learning objectives.)

iv.  Interact according to specific assignment guidelines and be prepared to discuss the material in classroom discussions.

Writing Papers:

Each assignment will be graded based around the following areas:

1.  Quality of Writing: This is a graduate course. As such each assignment should reflect appropriately high standards for

a. Clarity of language

b. Development of well-informed arguments

c. Documentation of evidence cited for your arguments or position (Please refer to the Turabian Style Manual for the proper format, citation, and styles to use.)

Papers should be reasonably free from errors in spelling and grammar, and should utilize gender inclusive language unless it violates a theological conviction.

2.  Quality of Content: Assignments will be evaluated on the following content-oriented criteria:

a. Level of analysis of the concerns, problems, and questions addressed in your work

b. Level of synthesis of course material evidenced in your work

c. Level of evaluation and critical reflection evidenced in your work

3. And Finally: Did you specifically engage the assignment? Did you address the questions and/or particulars of the assignment as they were posed? Did you do what the assignment asked?

Note: Students will be penalized for submitting assignments late unless extenuating circumstances are involved or the professor’s permission is received.

Academic Course Policies:

Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in the Academic Course Policies document found on the Registrar’s website at: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/acp/. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.

Course Schedule

**Accompanying lectures, PowerPoint, videos and instructions will be found in Moodle for each week. It is expected that you read, listen to, and/or engage with each of the topics as presented in Moodle.

Date / Course Topics / Assignment Schedule
Week 1 – Mar.25 / Course Introduction
Cross-Cultural Ministry in the OT & NT / Read: Course Syllabus
Moreau text (5 reflection papers due 4-8)
Listen: Introduction Audio
Engage: PowerPoint & Lecture
Moodle Forum - intro prayer
Week 2 – Apr. 1 / Spiritual Dynamics of Cross-Cultural Ministry / Read: Moreau Text (5 reflection papers due 4-8)
Engage: PowerPoint Lecture
Week 3 – Apr. 8 / Overview of Missions History – Contributions & Consequences / DUE 4-8: 5 Reflection Papers - Moreau Part 1-5
Read: Engel & Dyrness text (paper due 4-22)
Engage: PowerPoint Lecture
Moodle Forum
Week 4 – Apr. 15 / 19th Century Developments & Beyond / Write: Engel & Dyrness Response Paper (due 4-22)
Read: Telford – in prep for Intensive discussions
Engage: PowerPoint & Lecture
Moodle Forum
Week 5 – Apr. 22 / Intensive Week / Intensive Week
Week 6 – Apr. 29 / Intensive Week** / Intensive Week – The Intensive for this course is scheduled for May 2-4.
Week 7 – May 6 / Work on Integrative Research Paper
Engage: Moodle Forum
Week 8 – May 13 / Work on Integrative Research Paper
Engage: Moodle Forum
Week 9 – May 20 / Work on Integrative Research Paper
Engage: Moodle Forum
Week 10 – May 27 / DUE 5-27: Integrative Research Paper
Listen: Concluding Lecture & Instructions for
Final Exam
End of qtr –May 31 / DUE 5-31: Final Exam-Critique of Film

INTENSIVE – COURSE TOPICS

A more detailed Intensive Schedule will be available prior to the Intensive.

NOTE: Please be sure to have read and submitted the assignments for Moreau and Engel/Dyrness prior to the Intensive weeks. (See the due dates above) Also, please have the Telford text read prior to the Intensive weeks, as we will be using this text in our classroom discussions.

May 2 – a.m. session / Biblical & Theological Motives, Methodologies & Models
Sharing our Story
May 2 – p.m. sessions / Changing Roles of Western Cross-Cultural Workers
Key Figures
May 3 – a.m. session / Short Term Missions:
Types, Benefits,
Shortcomings &
Preparations
May 3 – p.m. session / Cultural Factors & Cultural Adjustment
May 4 – a.m. session / Worldview
Contextualization
Gospel & Culture
May 4 – p.m. session / Mobilizing the Church
Partnership

Professor’s Perspective on Teaching and Learning!

Typically, what one receives from a course of instruction is directly related to what one puts into that course. As adult learners, I expect you to be active and engaged, pursuing growth in at least five different areas of your lives:

1.  This course involves considerable cognitive content which if adequately and accurately perceived can positively impact your lives and ministries.

2.  In addition, it is my sincerest desire that you open yourselves up to growth in the affective (attitudinal) dimension of your lives and ministries—oftentimes, we need to change the attitudes we carry with us into the various tasks related to Christian ministry.